The House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to establish the National Commission for Rural Infrastructure and Development (NARCID), in a move aimed at accelerating infrastructure delivery and economic development in underserved rural communities across Nigeria.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Saidu Abdullahi, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, passed its second reading during Wednesday’s plenary session after lawmakers debated its objectives and potential impact.
If enacted, the bill will establish NARCID as a statutory body responsible for coordinating, financing, monitoring and evaluating rural infrastructure and development programmes nationwide.
The legislation also proposes the creation of a dedicated Rural Infrastructure and Development Fund to provide sustainable financing for critical projects in rural communities, with the goal of improving access to roads, healthcare, education, water supply, electricity and other essential public services.
Leading the debate, Abdullahi said the commission would provide a coordinated framework for planning and implementing rural development initiatives while ensuring greater accountability in the use of public resources.
Supporters of the bill argued that strengthening infrastructure in rural areas is vital to reducing poverty, boosting agricultural productivity, creating jobs and narrowing the development gap between urban and rural communities.
The bill has now been referred to the relevant House committee for further legislative scrutiny before it proceeds to the next stage of the lawmaking process.
